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Everything listed here is a different form of paraben. Parabens are a specific chemical compound used most often as a preservative in a range of products.
Parabens are a class of chemical preservatives that act as antimicrobial agents to prevent growth of bacteria in multiuse products. Parabens prevent microbial growth by interfering with cell membranes and, therefore, disrupt reproduction. These chemicals are present in a variety of different products including dietary supplements, food, medications, etc. They are generally considered safe by the FDA, although recent research has suggested some health implications. Prefixes associated with the word paraben provide information about the exact structure of the chemical being used.
Methylparaben
Methyl is an alkyl group that is added to a paraben to increase the carbon chain. The addition of this group increases solubility, lowers antimicrobial activity and has less potential for mimicking estrogen. It occurs naturally in fruits and is currently considered the safest paraben that is currently being used. This is because it is expelled from the body quicker than other parabens.
Ethylparaben Ethyl is a two-carbon alkyl group that can be added to a paraben molecule to increase the carbon chain. Because ethyl paraben carbon chain is only slightly longer than methyl paraben, it has minimal differences in antimicrobial activity and estrogenic potential compared to methylparaben. Ethyl paraben is commonly used in combination with methyl paraben and is considered generally safe for use. It can be found in various OTC products.
Propylparaben Propyl is a three-carbon alkyl group that is added to a paraben molecule to increase the carbon chain. This increase in carbon causes an increase in antimicrobial activity and an increase in estrogenic potential. This means that, although it is a better preservative compared to methylparaben, it is also more dangerous for humans to interact with. It is found naturally in plants and insects and is predominantly used for water-based cosmetics and OTC medications.
Butylparaben Butyl is a four-carbon chain alkyl group that is added to a paraben molecule to increase the carbon chain. This form of paraben has the highest antimicrobial activity and the highest potential to mimic estrogen. Butylparaben is found in many OTC personal care items and medications. In many countries butylparaben has been banned because it is considered the least safe of all the parabens because it can alter the expression of some genes.
Isobutylparaben Isobutyl is four carbon functional group that can be added to a paraben molecule. Isobutyl paraben does not differ much from butyl paraben as it still has the longest carbon chain making it have the highest antimicrobial activity and the highest estrogenic potential. Research on this specific paraben is limited as most studies focus on the shorter chained parabens that are being used more often. Isobutyl paraben is synthetic and is used in OTC products and dietary supplements. Isobutyl paraben acts as a flavoring and suspending agent in many products. It has not been found to be unsafe by the FDA, but some studies have raised concerns, and it has been banned in other countries.
Consumer products that commonly contain parabens
- Shampoos
- Moisturizers
- Deodorants
- Makeup
- Toothpastes
Instruments used to detect, measure, and analyze parabens in consumer products
- HPLC with UV-Vis detection
- GC-MS
- Capillary Electrophoresis
Testing parabens with Microchem
Microchem tests personal care products, OTC drugs, and dietary supplements for the strength and purity of a variety of parabens. Contact the lab today for a free consultation or quote.
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